Best fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 9

Murray split carries with Melvin Gordon early in Week 8, but he ultimately served as the "closer" late, finishing with 46 yards and a TD on a team-high 14 carries. Gordon (nine carries, 29 yards) also scored a TD and had two more targets, but it's clear that Murray isn't "going away." He'll continue to be a TD threat every week, and if Gordon fumbles again or gets hurt, Murray would be a must-start as a 20-touch-per-game RB. Grab him now ahead of Denver's Week 9 bye.

Here we go again. Gus Edwards exited early in Week 8 because of a sore hamstring, paving the way for Drake to have another impressive performance (seven carries, 62 yards, TD reception). Edwards is also dealing with the residual effects of last year's torn ACL, so Drake could see appreciable carries even if Edwards is active. There's a lot of upside here, including next week against New Orleans. Keep in mind that Baltimore has a bye in Week 10, which slightly enhances the odds that Edwards sits out.

A week after Tyler Allgeier dominated carries for the Falcons, Huntley wound up leading the team in rushes, carrying the ball 15 times for 86 yards. This situation is obviously unpredictable, and with Cordarrelle Patterson (knee) eligible to return in Week 9, it's tough to know who you can count on. However, if Patterson remains out next week, Huntley should have high-end flex value against the Chargers' bottom-five RB defense. He produces whenever he gets a chance.

It's been reported that Williams will have a "big role" in the Rams' offense once he's back from an early-season ankle injury. The Rams opened his 21-day practice window, so Williams should be back within the next two weeks. Considering Ronnie Rivers led L.A.'s backfield in Week 8, the Rams' depth chart is clearly in flux, so Williams could immediately become the starter when active.

Pacheco disappointed in Week 7 after drawing his first NFL start, but it seems clear that the Chiefs want to feature the rookie more going forward. Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon will still be involved, so it's tough to see Pacheco really breaking out, but at worst, he's a high-upside flex most weeks (including next week against Tennessee). At best, he's a solid RB2.

Dulcich continues to be a key cog in the Broncos' offense, catching four-of-five targets for a team-high 87 yards in Week 8. He has at least 11.1 PPR points in his three games this year, and he has to be considered on par with TEs like T.J. Hockenson and Kyle Pitts already in his young career. He'll be a big-time contributor for the fantasy stretch run after Denver's Week 9 bye.

Rams' rookie Kyren Williams, who's been on the IR because of an ankle injury since Week 1, is probably a better pickup than Rivers, but until Williams is actually activated, we have to consider Rivers. He surprisingly led the Rams in carries in Week 8 (8) and had four catches, and although he managed just 36 total yards, every "lead" back has value. If Williams is still out in Week 9, Rivers has flex potential against the struggling Bucs' run defense.

Jaguars' offensive skill players are going to get a ton of love in Week 9, especially with six teams being on a bye week. Engram has flashed recently (55 yards, TD in Week 8; 29 targets in his past four games) and is becoming a solid contributor for second-year QB Trevor Lawrence. Engram is a virtual must-start this week against a Raiders' defense that had allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to TEs this season and a league-high six scores to the position entering Week 8.

Likely impressed on Thursday after Mark Andrews exited because of a shoulder injury, catching six-of-seven targets for 77 yards and a TD. We know how important tight ends are in Baltimore's offense, and we also know that Likely has the goods to produce in any matchup. If Andrews is out in Week 9 -- very possible considering he also has a knee issue and Baltimore has a Week 10 bye -- Likely would be in play as a low-end TE1 streamer.

Gus Edwards (hamstring), Rashod Bateman (foot), and Mark Andrews (shoulder) all exited early on Thursday because of injuries, and Duvernay took advantage in both the running (33 yards, TD) and receiving (four catches, 31 yards) games. Regardless of who's back, Duvernay, who's just 53-percent owned in Yahoo leagues, has upside in Week 9 against a Saints' defense that entered Week 8 allowing the fifth-most fantasy points per game to WRs. If Bateman is out, Duvernay will be a borderline must-start in 12-team leagues.

Palmer will see an uptick in targets with Mike Williams dealing with an ankle injury. The second-year wide receiver has not taken the leap many fantasy experts thought he would, but he's been solid as L.A.'s makeshift No. 2 receiver this year. Entering Week 8, the Falcons' had allowed the most fantasy points per game to WRs, so Palmer has a solid floor and high ceiling in his Week 9 matchup against Atlanta.

Moore bounced back after a poor Week 7, catching seven-of-eight targets for 92 yards and a TD. Arizona will always air it out a lot, and Moore has established himself as the No. 2 WR behind DeAndre Hopkins. With his big-play ability, he's can put up points against anyone, including next week against the Seahawks.

Hubbard (ankle) didn't play in Week 8, but it's important to remember that he started and saw a majority of the early carries for Carolina in Week 7. D'Onta Foreman has established himself as Carolina's No. 1, but Hubbard will be involved when he returns. Don't let him sit on waiver wires. If healthy, he can be at least a low-end flex in 12-team leagues next week against Cincinnati.

The rookie wideout has missed a considerable amount of time due to a toe injury that put him on injured reserve earlier this season. He's eligible to return in Week 9, and if he does, he'll have a favorable matchup against the Chiefs' 30th-ranked pass defense. Burks has yet to have a breakout game, but he could do it against the Chiefs, who were allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game to WRs heading into Week 8.

Everyone below this point is a streamer recommendation for Week 9:

Fields is starting to be utilized correctly in the Bears' offense, which is leading to him being a borderline QB1 option in fantasy heading into Week 9. Fields will look to make some noise through the air and on the ground against the Dolphins' defense that entered Week 8 allowing the fifth-most fantasy points per game to QBs.

Dalton has been playing well lately, and in Week 9 he faces a Baltimore defense that has given up a ton of points and big plays through the air. Entering Week 8, the Ravens' defense was allowing the seventh-most fantasy points per game to QBs, so Dalton can produce if you need a QB.

Mariota has somehow found a way to be a fantasy-relevant quarterback this season. The veteran quarterback does not throw for a ton of yards, but he provides a solid fantasy floor thanks to his mobility. In Week 9, Mariota will face a middle-of-the-road Chargers' defense, but with six teams on bye, you might need Mariota's stable floor in a deep league.

Kansas City's defense has had its share of growing pains this season, which has led to them allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to QBs entering Week 8. If healthy, Tannehill (ankle) should be a viable streaming option, especially if Treylon Burks (foot) returns. If he's still out, then Malik Willis could also work as a streamer in deep leagues.

Mooney is owned in around 54 percent of Yahoo leagues, but he should be owned in more ahead of a Week 9 date with the Dolphins. Not only is he coming off one of his best games of the season (five catches, 70 yards), but Miami also entered Week 8 allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game to WRs. This is a rare potential smash spot for one of this season's biggest WR busts. Take advantage.

With Christian Kirk stealing all the headlines in Jacksonville, Jones has flown under the radar this season. However, Jones should get some attention for Week 9, as he has a good matchup to go along with steady targets. The Jags will be taking on the Raiders, who entered Week 8 allowing the 10th-most fantasy points per game to WRs.

MVS is coming off his first 100-yard game as a Chief. This week, he faces a Titans defense that entered Week 9 allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to the position. Valdes-Scantling always has boom-or-bust upside, but he should have a higher floor than usual this week.

Hardman shined in Week 7 and will look to build off of that against a poor Titans' secondary in Week 9. Like Valdes-Scantling, he always has a high-ceiling because of his big-play ability, but given his versatility and the matchup, he should also have a higher floor than usual.

The rookie wideout has been boom or bust this season, which is also a perfect way to describe the Packers' sporadic offense. However, we've seen glimpses of what Doubs can be in the NFL. The young wideout will see the Lions' defense in Week 9, which can be a good remedy for struggling offenses. Entering Week 8, Detroit was allowing the 12th-most fantasy points per game to WRs. If Doubs sees six-lpus targets, we should expect a bounce-back game from him.

Robinson caught a season-high six-of-eight targets for 64 yards in Week 8, and if both Mark Andrews (shoulder) and Rashod Bateman (foot) are out in Week 9, he has flex upside in a highly favorable matchup against the Saints. 

With six teams on the bye, fantasy owners will have to take some chances at the wide receiver spot for Week 9. Jones is one player that should get a look, as he's been getting consistent targets recently. The vet is a nice pivot at the wideout spot, especially if owners miss out on Josh Palmer or one of the Chiefs' WRs. Jones has a solid matchup against a Raiders' defense that entered Week 8 allowing the 10th-most fantasy points per game to WRs this season.

With Josh Palmer elevating to the WR2 spot in the Chargers' offense, Carter finds himself back at the WR3 spot. Earlier this season, we saw Carter make some plays in the passing game when the Chargers did not have Keenan Allen for a significant amount of time.  In Week 9, the Chargers will be going up against a Falcons' defense that has allowed the most fantasy points per game to WRs this season, so there's upside here.

Tonyan is rostered in 54 percent of Yahoo leagues, which doesn't scream streamer. However, depending on the league, he might be available on the waiver wire. If that's the case, you need to consider him for your lineup when the Packers face the Lions in Week 9. Detroit's defense is aggressive but will give up yards and points, which is good news for Green Bay's offense. Entering Week 8, the Lions' defense was allowing the fifth-most fantasy points per game to TEs this season.

Johnson has jumped onto the radar of fantasy owners as his role continues to evolve in the Saints' offense. Even after a disappointing Week 8, he has a solid matchup in Week 9 against the 27th-ranked Ravens' pass defense. Johnson will be one of the top streamers at tight end this week.

Kmet finally found the end zone in Week 8, and in Week 9, he has a highly favorable matchup against the Dolphins' soft pass defense. He loses some value in PPR leagues, but he's still a solid streaming option.

Unlike Johnson and Engram, Dissly is a true boom-or-bust streaming candidate for Week 9. If Dissly does not score a touchdown, he doesn't offer a ton of fantasy value. However, Dissly has a good matchup against a Cardinals' defense that has allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to TEs entering Week 8.

Henry has not looked like the same tight we saw last season when he was a consistent threat inside the red zone. However, in Week 9, he could have a chance to make some noise against the Colts. Entering Week 8, Indianapolis had allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends, so give Henry a chance if you need a TE.

Fant has had a quiet 2022 campaign in his first year with the Seahawks, but he could be due for a breakout in Week 9. The 24-year-old tight end has a good matchup against a Cardinals' defense that has allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to TEs this season. Fant has a lower ceiling than Will Dissly, but he could be valuable to owners in deeper leagues.

Cincinnati's defense has been solid this season, as it hasn't allowed a ton of points while forcing a fair amount of turnovers. In Week 9, the Bengals will take aim at either a gimpy Baker Mayfield (ankle) or P.J. Walker and the offensively challenged Panthers. Take advantage.

In Week 9, Minnesota will meet the Commanders, who have not done a great job of protecting the quarterback this season. We should expect the Vikings to rack up some sacks against Taylor Heinicke and force him into a mistake or two.

The Chiefs' defense hasn't been great this season, especially in the secondary. However, their front seven should be able to give the Titans' offense problems, whether they're facing a gimpy Ryan Tannehill (ankle) or rookie Malik Willis.

The Cardinals are another opportunistic defense that looks to capitalize off quarterbacks' mistakes. In Week 9, they will see Seahawks QB Geno Smith, who has done a good job of taking care of the ball. However, the Cardinals' defensive line can pressure the Seahawks' offensive line and produce a few sacks and some potential takeaways at home, where Arizona has been much more productive this year.